Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Mr Brainwash Print Index
The King Pele - Brush Portrait
Summary
The King Pele - Brush Portrait renders the footballer as a gestural, brush-driven likeness. A one-colour screenprint on hand-torn archival paper, hand-finished by Mr. Brainwash in 2016, it measures 22.5 x 30 inches in an edition of 75. Each impression is signed by both Pele and the artist, numbered, and thumb-printed on the verso.
Why It Matters
The brush treatment leans into Mr. Brainwash's expressive, painterly side rather than his poster-graphic mode, giving collectors a more intimate portrait within the series. As with the whole group, the presence of Pele's own signature on every sheet is the defining feature, extending appeal to football memorabilia collectors.
Collector Perspective
This is one of two upright portrait formats in the series at 22.5 x 30 inches, making it a natural pairing piece with the Flag Portrait. The one-colour, hand-finished construction means each impression varies slightly. Confirm both signatures independently and check the verso thumbprint before purchase.
Historical Context
Part of the 2016 Pele collaboration, the Brush Portrait reflects Mr. Brainwash's habit of reworking a single subject across several treatments. Living celebrity-signed editions of this kind became historically fixed with Pele's death in 2022, closing the window on any comparable direct collaboration.
FAQ
How does this differ from the Flag Portrait?
Both are 22.5 x 30 inch upright portraits from the same series; this one uses an expressive brush-style rendering of Pele's face.
Who signed it?
Both Pele and Mr. Brainwash signed each impression, which is also numbered and thumb-printed on the back.
Is the edition large?
No, it is limited to 75 impressions.
About the Artist
Mr. Brainwash is the pseudonym of Thierry Guetta, a French-born, Los Angeles-based street artist who rose to prominence through Banksy's 2010 documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop. Originally a videographer who filmed street artists including Shepard Fairey and Banksy, Guetta reinvented himself as an artist, staging his ambitious 2008 debut show "Life Is Beautiful" in Los Angeles. His work draws heavily on pop-art appropriation, remixing icons such as Warhol, Einstein, Charlie Chaplin, and spray-paint splatters. He has produced album art and large-scale exhibitions across the U.S. and Europe.
Collecting Mr Brainwash at Gauntlet Gallery
What Mr. Brainwash prints should I buy first?
Start with hand-finished screenprints and stencil works from his named exhibitions, where each impression is signed, numbered, and often uniquely embellished with spray-paint or stamps. Smaller editions and show-related pieces from "Life Is Beautiful" and later gallery runs are the most recognizable entry points. At Gauntlet Gallery we prioritize pieces with clean condition and complete signing.
How is authenticity documented?
Gauntlet Gallery sells Mr. Brainwash works with documented studio provenance and the artist's own signature, numbering, and thumbprint or stamp where present. We photograph the exact piece you receive, including signature and edition details, so what you verify is what ships.
What drives value?
Value is driven by edition size, whether the piece is hand-embellished versus a flat print, subject popularity, condition, and provenance tied to a documented exhibition. Signed, low-numbered, and uniquely finished impressions command the strongest premiums.